Toni & Joseph
RACE OF CHILD INTERESTED IN ADOPTING:
Caucasian, Hispanic, Asian, Caucasian/Hispanic, Caucasian/Asian, Native American
Dear Birthmother,
While we don’t know the road that has brought you here, we do know you want what will be best for you and your baby. We realize that if you choose adoption, it won’t necessarily be easier for you than the other possibilities you might be thinking about. We are thankful you are considering adoption and considering us. We believe we can be the loving, supportive adoptive family your baby deserves to grow up with. In our family, your baby will be deeply loved from the beginning. Toni began collecting picture books and favorite children's and YA books for her future children when she was in college. Reading together is one of our children’s favorite activities. Your child will grow up loving books and reading too!
We are profoundly grateful for the women who gave us the opportunity to become parents by entrusting us with our first two children. Since experiencing pregnancy, childbirth, and the “fourth trimester” herself, Toni has gained a much deeper appreciation for the strength and courage of these women. We know that as you pass through this challenge in your life, whatever choice you make for yourself and your baby, you have the same kind of strength and courage.
About Us
We are Joseph and Toni from Utah. We met in 2007 in Wisconsin when Toni was 5 ½ years into her chemistry graduate degree and Joseph was beginning his first programming job out of college. We quickly recognized in each other what we were looking for in a spouse and in the other parent of our future children. We were married seven months later. In a group of family or friends, Toni is the quiet, reserved one who just sits and listens, while Joseph is the one who can keep a conversation moving along.
Joseph works from home doing software development for a company in the insurance industry. As a full-time, tenured faculty member teaching chemistry at a two-year college, Toni has her dream job. We enjoy playing board, card, and computer games. Toni loves to draw and crochet. Joseph likes creating things using materials ranging from cardboard to concrete.
Our Home
We live in rural Utah. We own a one-story red brick house with a basement (four bedrooms, two bathrooms) and a covered patio in the backyard. Last summer, Joseph built a sandbox in the backyard for the kids. We enjoy taking walks or bike rides to nearby parks and the library. We are close to the elementary and middle schools. Toni likes to make a special breakfast on the summer weekend when our town has its heritage festival. Our big fluffy cat loves to snuggle and is very patient with children. If you choose us, “cat” will probably be one of your child’s first words!
Our Extended Family
A middle child, Joseph has one brother and three sisters. Toni is the eldest, with three sisters and two brothers. If you choose us, your child will have seventeen cousins on their father’s side and eight cousins on their mother’s side. We are able to visit the cousins who are closest in age to our children once or twice a month, and they love playing together.
We visit either Joseph’s parents or Toni’s parents about once a month. Joseph’s parents have a big yard with a garden and fruit orchard. Toni’s parents have three playgrounds within walking distance where their grandkids love to play. Toni’s mother sews a unique crib quilt for each of her grandchildren when they are born, a teddy bear when they turn two, and a fleece blanket when they turn four.
Our parents live close enough to each other that we usually split Thanksgiving and Christmas between them, spending the holiday itself with one set of parents and the day after with the others. At Christmastime, both of our parents’ houses will have a puzzle out that everyone helps to fit pieces in. Our parents love spending time with their grandchildren, and our children love spending time with them.
What Led Us To Adoption
Talking about the family we wanted to have before we got married, we agreed we wanted at least four kids, but pregnancy just didn’t happen. After Toni got her current job and our first IVF attempt failed, we felt like we were ready to adopt. We adopted our first child shortly before our tenth anniversary. We adopted our second child when our first was two. That summer we gave IVF one more try, and were blessed with our third child. We cherish our three sweet sons…but we feel like our family is not complete yet. We are a mixed-race family and would welcome another child of a different ethnicity. We would also welcome twins to our family.
Facts About Toni
- Occupation: Chemistry Professor
- Education: BS, PhD
- Favorite Food: Ben & Jerry’s chocolate fudge brownie ice cream
- Favorite Hobby: Reading, World of Warcraft
- Favorite Movie: The Princess Bride, The Incredibles
- Favorite Sport: Quidditch
- Favorite Music Group: Classical, Oonagh
- Favorite Book: Dealing With Dragons, To Say Nothing of the Dog
- Favorite Subject in School: Band, science, math
Facts About Joseph
- Occupation: Software Developer
- Education: BS
- Favorite Food: Lasagna
- Favorite Hobby: Crafting things
- Favorite Movie: Star Wars
- Favorite Sport: Baseball
- Favorite Music Group: Sabaton
- Favorite Book: Steelheart
- Favorite Subject in School: Orchestra, math